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US players thinking of 3 points in Mexico, not border wall

Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 by Jody Gill

I mostly agree with him, though please rest assured this doesn't mean I'm going to avoid discussing tactics after USA's 1-1 draw at the Azteca against Mexico, a result that leaves the Yanks in strong position to qualify for next summer's World Cup and damn near memory holed - finally - the disastrous start to the Hexagonal.

For 10 or 15 minutes on Sunday, you could feel it. Michael Bradley scored one of the most audacious golazos you'll ever see from an American soccer player, and the United States men's national team looked like it could do the unthinkable and defeat Mexico at the Estadio Azteca.

Honduras play in Panama on June 13th, a game they probably have to win to seriously stick around in the competitive Hex.

"Mexico does an unbelievable job in their spacing", Arena said.

"If Mexico is victorious Sunday, it will send a message", he said. "We're going to come out with a win there, too".

Political tensions between the two countries have eased somewhat in recent months as Trump turns his attention to other world regions and seeks to manage a damaging FBI investigation into his campaign's possible ties with Russian Federation.

"It's somewhat I think similar to club play in Major League Soccer, where you travel at times great distances in a short period of time and play two games", Arena said. He was able to show off his obvious attacking talent against Trinidad and Tobago, but in the Azteca he'll be required to do much more out of possession, and possibly even drop into a midfield five if the USA are content to stifle Mexico and play on the break. "Of course", he said. Because that is the case if I had to choose Bruce's tactics without any knowledge of what the results will be Thursday against T&T I would say Bruce will have his guys sit back and look to counter taking 1 point will be the objective.

The teams themselves have done their best to eliminate politics from their rivalry. He carries himself with a poise and swagger that, with a little guidance from his predecessors and a confident team building around him, makes you believe he could carry the United States to their first World Cup title.

Tensions were even higher then.

But with the United States winning only once, and drawing only twice, in 22 tries in Mexico since their first meeting in 1934, a win would mark an enormous step forward for the USA men's soccer program and a tremendous confidence builder to take into next year's World Cup in Russian Federation. He is the best player on the field anytime the USMNT faces another CONCACAF side. Instead of posing for separate team photographs, as usual, the teams came together, forming what sportswriters described as a "unity wall".

He netted both goals in the 2-0 win, becoming the first American with a brace in the series since Steve Moyers' pair in a 2-1 stunner in 1980. Whether Sunday's game will be equally tranquil remains to be seen.

Pacing will be a key at Azteca, which is at 7,820 feet above sea level. Mexican fans have been known to throw beer bottles, trash and even bags of urine at opposing teams. We all know playing in Azteca is very hard. "But we really want some revenge on them from when they got us earlier this year".

Others anxious what a Mexican victory might mean for the delicate U.S. -Mexico relationship.